Letters to the editor: Nov. 19

There's a way to eat healthy at holidays

The holidays are notorious for causing weight gain. However, by being mindful of your eating habits, you can maintain your weight throughout the holiday season.

Though many people skip lunch before a holiday dinner, this can lead to overindulging on higher calorie food. You can end up eating more calories than you would have if you had eaten lunch.

Before you leave for parties, have a healthy meal or snack such as fruit, vegetables or lean protein. Because you won't be hungry when you arrive, you're less likely to be tempted by unhealthy foods and more likely to make good choices when filling your plate.

While picking which foods to eat, make sure you add healthy options and eat those first. You can still indulge in favorite holiday treats, but pick small portions of only your favorites instead of sampling every item on a buffet.

Also be mindful of your beverage selections. Alcoholic beverages can cause overeating by hampering your ability to make good decisions. Sodas and juices can pack on the calories. Sticking to water can help lower the number of calories you consume and keep you feeling more energetic.

Also make time to exercise during the holidays. Even 10 to 15 minutes a day can help balance out the extra calories as well as help you feel happier throughout the holiday season.

By following these tips, you can help make your New Year's resolution a little easier to reach. I hope you have a happy and healthy holiday.

Sarah Hallberg, D.O.

internal medicine

IU Health Arnett

Lafayette

Miss days without WBAA fund drives

Last month WBAA, Purdue's radio station, completed its semiannual fund drive. It was the usual painful and demeaning experience that leaves the station impossible for listening.

I've been a fan of WBAA for 40 years, since returning home after my military experience. But even as teenagers we built small crystal sets that captured the station's signal. In the 1970s, I assumed that the station was supported by Purdue and a group of volunteers from the university's schools of engineering and communications. The mellifluous Roger Priest was station manager and the paid announcer.

Back then WBAA was AM only. Its format was heavy with recorded music and local entertainment. There were daily sermonettes by local men of God, often by the inspired Rev. Joseph Wick. Bits of news from the wire services were aired. There were public service announcements. A moment of prayer, spoken by Roger, preceded the Dinner Hour, a program of light classical music. The station operated from 6 a.m. until midnight; its comings and goings were marked by playing our national anthem. There were no fund drives. Heady days.

Today, WBAA has AM and FM stations, with an ample and competent staff. There are entertaining and instructive programs, originating locally and from parent National Public Radio. There are dozens of commercials. (If you mention one word more than the sponsor's name, it's a commercial). Must we be tortured for two weeks every year to afford this? There has to be a better way.

John Pfrommer

West Lafayette

Cat killer should be caught, dealt with

This is in response to a Nov. 16 letter from the lady whose cat was shot and killed. This is so reprehensible. The person who committed this awful crime should be found by the police and be given the death penalty. My heartfelt condolences to the person who loved this cat.

Johanna Zalkin

West Lafayette

You've been elected, so now a promise

Congratulations to all recently elected office holders. I commend all of you willing to take on the challenges of public office. The long hours, the low pay and public criticism make public office unattractive to many of us.

The majority of those that voted for you think you were the best person running for that office. Those of us who voted made a two-, four- or six-year contract with you, depending on what office you will hold. Those that did not bother to vote should not dare complain about practically anything you do or not do. We made this contract with you because we believed most of what you said during the campaign. We didn't believe everything, because several of you tried to tell us what you alone could do and we know that the political system takes teamwork and partnership from all parties. Don't let us down by deciding to follow an agenda radically different than you campaigned on. Also, remember who you work for, who pays your salary and who will or will not be renewing your next contract.

For those of you going to Washington, D.C., you have a very important and difficult task ahead. A lot of us think Congress is broken. We see the bickering from both sides and are sick and tired of it. If you were our children, you would have been disciplined and sent to your room if you couldn't get along with other people any better than that.

There will be lots of people across the country wanting your attention and your vote. You will probably have to compromise to get some things done in Washington, but don't ever compromise your integrity. May your term in office be fruitful and rewarding for all of us.